Director of Finance - Operations

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world.

Our Visalia corporate office serves as the central hub for the CDI enterprise, driving strategic decision-making, innovation, overall business support, and growth across our diverse portfolio of dairy products and brands.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

 We offer a generous total rewards package that includes: 

• Salary Range  $129,175 - $204,450
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Summary

The Director, Finance provides the full scope of financial leadership and support to the divisional operations including financial analysis and planning, operational analysis, and systems support. The individual will work closely with the Finance and Business teams to set financial strategies and goals and determining the financial implications of new initiatives. This individual has a central role in monitoring and driving the business unit income and profitability. This person is the leader and initiator of cost savings and income building activities and is accountable for business performance. Through conduct and know-how, fosters respect for the Company among those people involved in the advancement of our business. This position will manage, train, and mentor the finance and business leaders to ensure corporate values and ethics are instilled and to develop the future leaders for the division and function.

Essential Functions

• Develop aggressive, but achievable profit objectives for the business unit and is strongly committed to achieve them via business unit decisions or support of business managers. Ensure completion of the plan and outlook processes and operates within them appropriately.
• Lead business operation and financial analytics.
• Analyze business unit, business by product or channel, and recommend profit improvement for business building plans.
• Builds market profitability through in-depth understanding of manufacturing costs, logistics, marketing, sales, and other costs. To this end, works closely with the manufacturing team, the business managers, the logistics managers, and the other divisional leaders.
• Challenges and assists the business managers in order to maximize profitability for the business unit.
• Identify cost savings and understand financial implications of new initiatives and research/resolve variances.
• Recommend and execute with the Business Team profit improvement plans.
• Lead and support business growth by coordinating the business needs within financial systems, which may also include the development of financial systems and processing in branch, corporate, and other offices.
• Supervise the day-to-day operations financial services functions and controls.
  • This includes the preparation of the monthly reports, reviewing of financial statements, and corporate submissions.
• Takes full responsibility for functional projects such as D365 integration, sku rationalization, etc. for the business unit (as assigned). Leads those projects (horizontal processes).
• Recommends policies and standard operating procedures to drive change while securing adequate level of control.
  • Works with the finance organization, and General Management in the divisions to drive those projects for timely completion.
• Support customer management both by reviewing financial viability of new and existing businesses.
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the operations as well as outside channel dynamics.
• Executes channel analysis and financial reviews for the business unit as needed.
• Challenges cost of selling, merchandising, and distributing brands, labels, and items.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as Compliance with US laws.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or directly related field, MBA preferred.
• 10 or more years of financial experience, including accounting and financial analysis.
• Prior leadership supervisory experience required.

Qualifications  

• Strong demonstrated leadership.
• Strong understanding of US and International operations.
• Excellent analytical and financial skills.
• Makes decisions and is able to influence others.
• Leads and motivates people within the company/division and outside customers.
• Ability to adapt to different situations, cultures, and people.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and planning skills and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
• Advanced knowledge of general ledger accounting and financial reporting processes.
• Strong proficiency in U.S. GAAP and good understanding of internal controls.
• Experience in the Dairy industry or commodity space, ideal but not required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause and undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Sits frequently to answer calls, complete schedules/reports, fill out paperwork, answer emails, etc.
• Lifting/Carrying: Must be able to lift 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Pushing/Pulling:  Some pushing or pulling is required on an occasional basis.
• Bending/Stooping: Bends and stoops on an occasional basis.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: May squat or kneel on an occasional basis.
• Twisting/Turning: Assumes any combination of these positions on an occasional basis.
• Climbing/Balancing: May go up and down stairs and/or ladder on an occasional basis.
• Reaching: Reaches at or above shoulder level on an occasional basis.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required.  Ability to use calculator and keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.
• Traveling: Extended working hours and some domestic traveling.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work is performed in an office environment.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. 

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

This job description will be updated if duties and responsibilities change significantly. Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity.

Salary : $129,175 - $204,450